After watching the first three pre-season games I strongly believe the NT position is our biggest problem in stopping the run. I didn't want to do this and go back to the days of Casey Hampton but he stuffed the run, he was in the backfield and depending on the direction the linebackers had a chance to clean up. Right now that is not happening, I really don't think McLendon is the answer, last year he claimed to be injured and played at a lesser weight, this year he is at 330 lbs. but has not been effective.
In the Bills game Eric Wood just took him and turned him wherever he wanted, last night I didn't see much from him either. I am really happy Da Beard is back and now both McLendon and Thomas can focus and rotate at NT and get the job done. I believe Thomas has a lack of discipline in maintaining his lanes, rem the 76 yd TD run in the Giants game, I believe that was on him.
Failing that, get that big horse McCullers in there and let him push into the backfield from the NT position. Last night against the Eagles the Steelers seemed to play without a NT for periods of the game with Tuitt and Heyward only on the line, then they rotated Thomas and McLendon in on short yardage plays. Maybe we shouldn't read too much into this, I have seen some odd scores in the pre-season.
Thoughts?